History of Brunswick, Maine, USA

In the year 1819,died in the town of Greene, Me., an old man named Thomas, who had a thrilling wolf-story of his own to tell, though the experience was too early for his memory, he being at the time a baby in arms. Mr. George J. Varney relates the adventure in the Lewiston Journal. Mrs. Thomas was a fisherman's wife who lived in the town of Brunswick, Me., where Bowdoin College now stands. At one time when her husband was in port, but could not come home, she started on foot to Harpswell, a distance of ten miles, to see him, carrying her youngest child in her arms. Returning, with a load of fish on her back as well as the burden of her babe, she heard a wolf howl in the forest, and terror quickened her pace, though she was already fain to sink with fatigue.

She was midway of the five miles of unbroken woods when the howl of the wolf again smote her ear, and this time other voices, one after another, joined in. The pack had gathered on her trail!

She must climb a tree, one would...

The first dam between Brunswick and Topsham was completed about 1753, as the area had a growth spurt. Though only about 19 houses existed in 1742, by 1753 records show 80 males eligible to vote, an number that grew to 92 four years later.

Brunswick, Maine
Cumberland county. This town is on the S. side of Androscoggin river, and connected with Topsham by a substantial bridge. It is 27 miles N.E. from Portland, 30 S. of Augusta, and S.W. from Bath. Population, in 1830, 3,747; and in 1837, 4,136. It lies at the head of the tide waters, where vessels of 400 tons are built. Vast quantities of timber and logs descend the Androscoggin to this place, and lumber of all kinds is sent to Bath in gondolas, or transported by land to the sea board. A rail-road, of about 4 miles in length, is contemplated, for the transportation of lumber. There are 30 board saw mills at this place, exclusive of those in Topsham. Two cotton and woolen factories were erected here, but they were both burnt in 1824. Another factory was built in 1834, calculated for 4,000 spindles. It is of stone, five stories high, and 174 by 45 feet. Other factories are contemplated. This place, possessing such an exhaustless water power, and situated on navigable...

Brunswick, a post-township of Cumberland county, Maine, on the right bank of the Androscoggin river, 5 or 6 miles from its junction with the Kennebeck. Population, 4927.

Brunswick, a post-village in the above township, pleasantly situated on the S. side of the Androscoggin river, 27 miles by rail road N. E. from Portland ; 33 miles S. from Augusta, and 132 miles N. E. from Boston. The Androscoggin is navigable to what is called the lower falls, opposite this place. These falls afford extensive water-power. Vast quantities of logs are annually rafted down the river to be sawn into boards and timber at the numerous mills that are here in operation. On an elevated plain, at the extremity of the village, stands Bowdoin College, a well-endowed institution, enjoying a high reputation. See Table of Colleges in the Appendix. The village has 2 banks.

BRUNSWICK, a township of Cumberland, co., in the state of Maine, 80 m. SW of Augusta, and 7 m. W of Bath, on the S side of the Adroscoggin, opposite Topsham, with which it is connected by a bridge. Pop. 4,259. It is celebrated for its college, founded in 1794.

Brunswick native, Joshua Chamberlain successfully defended Little Round Top against confederate troops at the Battle of Gettysburg in the Civil War. Chamberlain's actions arguably served as the turning point of that battle.

Brunswick is the most easterly town of Cumberland. County. On the south it Is bounded by bodies of water connected with Casco Bay. On this side lies Harpswell, connected with Brunswick by a bridge and a neck of land scarcely more than fifty rods in width. On the east lies West Bath, in Sagadahoc County, separated from Brunswick by New Meadows River. The Androscoggin River, in the form of a bent bow, separates Brunswick from Topsham, in Sagadahoc County. Freeport lies on the west, and Durham, in Androscoggin County, on the north-west. In the southern part of the town are several good havens for vessels, of which are Maquoit and Middle bays. The Androscoggin soon after passing the falls in this town broadens and becomes navigable for vessels. Many of these have been built at Brunswick in the Narrows, and more in Topsharn, on the opposite bank of the river. This stream is spanned by two elegant iron bridges, one of which is for steam cars. There is also a wooden bridge for both teams and ...

BRUNSWICK is an ideal town in New England, alike charming for its natural beauty and its quiet air of refinement. A subtle aroma of culture seems to pervade its streets and buildings and give peculiar dignity to its people. Whether it was peculiarly fitted for a college town, or has been transformed into Marrnony with the scholarly, academic spirit, it would not be easy to decide; but no one can escape the power of its beauty and charm. The history of Brunswick has been carefully studied and compiled by able men, so that its historical archives are unusually full. Its colonial history extends back to the very earliest activities of the English in this part of the new world. Thomas Purchase, an energetic pioneer and trader with the Indians had established himself here as early as 1628. His fame spread throughout the growing band of Englishmen along the Atlantic coast of New England, and in 1632 he was joined by George Way. These two obtained a patent from the Plymouth Company in...